Baird's departure from cabinet, along with the resignation of Jim Flaherty a month before his death last year, means two of Harper's most powerful ministers will have left the prime minister's inner circle in less than a year.

As foreign affairs minister, Baird has overseen a busy file, handling Canada's diplomatic response to the war in Libya, the crisis in Ukraine, the Palestinian push for statehood, the coalition mission in Iraq and most recently, thecase of jailed Canadian-Egyptian journalist Mohamed Fahmy.

Baird represents the riding of Ottawa West-Nepean and was nominated last March as the Conservative candidate in the newly created riding of Nepean for the next federal election, which must be held by Oct. 19 at the latest.

Baird, 45, has been in politics most of his adult life. He was first elected as an MP in 2006 after a decade in provincial politics in Ontario, where he served in former premier Mike Harris's cabinet.

However, sources close to Baird say that after 20 years in public office, it was simply time to seek other opportunities. His experience and profile are expected make him attractive to the private sector.

A source close to Baird said he still supports the prime minister and will campaign for the party in the election.

High-profile posts

One of Baird's first jobs after the election of the Harper government in 2006 was to get the Conservatives' Accountability Act passed. His cabinet roles have included:

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